The basic design issues with the Type 11 remained, including its tendency to jam because of the slightest amount of grit or dirt, and the low lethality and lack of stopping power of its 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridges.

During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces captured a number of Czech ZB vz/26 light machine guns from China’s National Revolutionary Army; its numerous design advantages led to the development of the Type 97.

This was used in a modified form for armored vehicles until 1940, when the Japanese Army switched to a rimless 7.7 mm cartridge.

The Imperial Japanese Navy also used the weapon in their combat vehicles, such as the Type 92 Jyu-Sokosha heavy armored car (tankette).

[5] As a result of this weight problem, the similar looking but different internally Type 99 light machine gun was developed in the same caliber and deployed instead.